I love the IDEA of this "Legends of the West" line that has concept art at Joecon. I mean, classic Cowboys, I am here for it. But how on earth are they gonna get away with CLEARLY using some famous IP/likenesses? They can call that character the marshal but if that ain't Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp I'll eat my hat.

When I heard rumors of a BFS Western line, I was openly hoping for Dark Tower-inspired characters. Or even officially licensed ones. But now that there's supposedly a movie in the works, for real this time, promise, no takesies-backsies, I don't see that happening. But the blatant likenesses are interesting.

When I heard rumors of a BFS Western line, I was openly hoping for Dark Tower-inspired characters. Or even officially licensed ones. But now that there's supposedly a movie in the works, for real this time, promise, no takesies-backsies, I don't see that happening. But the blatant likenesses are interesting.

Dark Tower toys would be cool (Lobstrosities and a three-fingered Roland!), but I'm definitely not looking forward to the movie. First, apparently only Frank Darabont can make a good King movie. Second, Darabont ain't directing this. Third, this would be a tough flick to make regardless of who's helming it. Something tells me that a whole lot of what was cool in my head while I was reading the books won't be so cool outside of my head and on the big screen. Probably be downright stupid, in fact.

Both the club and retail offerings have their good points. But I hate how "exclusives" make up the majority of what's left of this hobby. I'm not the kind of person that needs my ego stroked. I don't care if only x00 of something was made and I have 5 of them or whatever. I just like GI Joe. For the past few years I've rationalized my cognitive dissonance on this topic by telling myself that it was almost over, that I could put up with the elitist BS for a bit until ME Joes came to an end. And when it was done, I could look back on my collection and be content that it was as complete as I could (or wanted to) make it. The news that FP was done with TF, and all signs pointed toward the same for Joes, gave me relief. It really was almost over.

Now? Two more years of dodgy business practices geared directly toward those that relish the have/have not divide and obsess over production run totals. Two more years of overstuffed bubbles and paper-thin cardbacks at premium prices. Two more years of sob stories about how the latest problem is most definitely not their fault, no sir. Two more years of paying more for the handful of con "souvenirs" (that term is horribly misused) than for the con set and FFS combined. Two more years of Hasbro's implicit, "Yeah, all that stuff is okay by us. Yo Joe!"

The state of this hobby is downright depressing. The "community" is a sad joke dominated by asshats and sycophants (for us plebeians outside the "inner circle," at least). I stopped having fun with it a while back, but was looking forward to seeing through what I started. The past few years I've asked myself, "Is it really worth it?" And each time I came back with, "It's almost over, don't quit now." Well, I was wrong. It's not almost over. And I don't see it getting any better.

Both the club and retail offerings have their good points. But I hate how "exclusives" make up the majority of what's left of this hobby. I'm not the kind of person that needs my ego stroked. I don't care if only x00 of something was made and I have 5 of them or whatever. I just like GI Joe. For the past few years I've rationalized my cognitive dissonance on this topic by telling myself that it was almost over, that I could put up with the elitist BS for a bit until ME Joes came to an end. And when it was done, I could look back on my collection and be content that it was as complete as I could (or wanted to) make it. The news that FP was done with TF, and all signs pointed toward the same for Joes, gave me relief. It really was almost over.

Now? Two more years of dodgy business practices geared directly toward those that relish the have/have not divide and obsess over production run totals. Two more years of overstuffed bubbles and paper-thin cardbacks at premium prices. Two more years of sob stories about how the latest problem is most definitely not their fault, no sir. Two more years of paying more for the handful of con "souvenirs" (that term is horribly misused) than for the con set and FFS combined. Two more years of Hasbro's implicit, "Yeah, all that stuff is okay by us. Yo Joe!"

The state of this hobby is downright depressing. The "community" is a sad joke dominated by asshats and sycophants (for us plebeians outside the "inner circle," at least). I stopped having fun with it a while back, but was looking forward to seeing through what I started. The past few years I've asked myself, "Is it really worth it?" And each time I came back with, "It's almost over, don't quit now." Well, I was wrong. It's not almost over. And I don't see it getting any better.

So I have a decision to make.

I came to this conclusion awhile back and then I decided I was out of fresh shits to give. But one day I suddenly remembered they're just fucking toys. Since then, I've treated them as toys and nothing else. I don't pay ridiculous prices for toys just because that's the only way I can get it and I most certainly don't buy into the whole "exclusive" thing. The bottom line is, for me, this shit is ancillary to my life. It's an add-on, a bonus, and not important enough to me to join clubs and own every goddamn thing that comes down the pike. Hell, the only time you'll find me on here is when I'm wasting time waiting on the old lady to get her shit together so we can go out somewhere. Truth is, I just don't need or want a giant collection of kid's toys cluttering up the joint, so I'm selective by design. I don't need multiple versions of the same characters, and I certainly don't want a c-list character like fucking Darklon.

Anyway, I'm done with the active collecting. I got pretty much all I want. I'll probably by some of the upcoming 50th 3.0 shit, keep the few figures I want and sell the rest. Maybe that's all you need to do. Find a point that's good enough and then fuck this nonsense.

I thought Stiletto was some sorta Slaughter's Marauders Tunnel Rat until I realized it had boobs.

Heavy Duty looks like an unused Sigma Six Roadblock design. I don't care for the Female Cobra not having a facemask and everything else is a repaint. Or not in the case of the Viper and Grenadier pack. But, man, good thing they managed to cram another Duke, Snake-eyes and Storm Shadow release into the mix.

And the zombies are high fiving in the promo shot.

At this point, you guys are just getting pissed on.
Eh, this is close enough:

__________________

Tales of the Dead Eleven:

Misfire

--How is it that I'm wearing a grey undershirt... but my bellybutton lint is still blue?